Adelaide v Fremantle: Crows' win adds to Dockers' misery

Adelaide 2.4 5.5 9.10 14.13 (97) Fremantle 1.5 2.11 3.14 8.15 (54)
GOALS: Adelaide: Betts 4, Lynch, Jenkins 2, Sloane, Lyons, McGovern, Smith, Atkins, Douglas. Fremantle: Walters 3, Mayne, Griffin, Pavlich, Taberner, Crozier.
BEST: Adelaide: Jacobs, Sloane, Thompson, Mackay, Hartigan, Atkins. Fremantle: Neale, Barlow, Mundy, Walters, Hill, Mayne.
UMPIRES L. Farmer, B. Hosking, B. Ryan.
CROWD 47,423 at Adelaide Oval.

Fremantle probably kicked fewer goals in the opening 90 minutes at Adelaide Oval than the winner here of tomorrow's A-League grand final between Adelaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers.

Taylor Walker of the Crows passes the ball. Photo: Getty Images

Held to three goals at three-quarter-time, it was hardly a classic as the Crows made fewer errors and were slightly more accurate to ultimately win comfortably by 33 points.

As expected, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon tried to completely shut the game, and for most part Adelaide struggled and showed little of their run-and-link style that has earned them praise this season.

And you've got to feel for Lyon, coaching a side wracked by injuries and then watching some of the most awful kicking for goal for some years, missing 10 set shots and kicking out on the full twice.

Docker Michael Walters wins the ball. Photo: Morne de Klerk / Getty Images

But as with Adelaide too, it wasn't just the goals that should have been – both sides missed their targets badly, and about 25 per cent of their combined kicks were ineffective.

The biggest offender was Dockers champion Matthew Pavlich, who missed four of the easiest shots, a performance that would normally see a younger or less experienced player dropped.

Conversely, Lachie Neale racked up 40 disposals – 19 of them contested – in a magnificent effort in a losing side, a performance almost matched by Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs, whose dominance further emphasised just how much the Dockers are missing their No.1 big man Aaron Sandilands.

In some ways, it was a good challenge for the Crows because, after their impressive style that has earned applause this season, they needed to regroup at half-time and work their way hard through this contest. Fremantle's defence was resilient, always playing with an extra man in the backlines, and nothing came easy.

The scoreboard ultimately looked normal, but at 9.10 to 3.14 at three-quarter-time, it was anything but normal. The Crows looked as if they would finally race to a comfortable win, but to Fremantle's credit they fought courageously and earned respect.

Adelaide will be obviously delighted with the premiership points, but they have concerns. Tex Walker is hardly shooting goals. His teamwork and leadership was good, but there were times when he was needed to take some strong inside-50 contested marks.

Until the players from both sides tired in the warm conditions in the last quarter, the poor disposals and desperate checking made it a battle of the defences. The vast improvement by Kyle Hartigan this season has largely been shadowed by the overall team performance, but he stood out today. However, his "brain snap" when he hit Fremantle's Michael Walters head-high may see coach Don Pyke being forced to change his so far generally reliable and set back six.

Fremantle hasn't had it easy this year, and despite losing the return of captain David Mundy after missing three games with injury was a huge lift. He was terrific in defence, and his leadership was also much valued in trying circumstances.

Lachie Neale and Michael Barlow were also very good for the Dockers, but generally so much good work was wasted by poor flow-on disposals and abysmal kicking for goal that seriously dented their confidence in from the of the largest home-and-away crowd the club has ever faced – 47,423.

The Crows were forced to work hard, and no one typified this better than Rory Sloane, who yet again was inspirational.

The terrific form by David Mackay has also been under-played this season, and he was outstanding in defence in his 150th game. The impressive occasion will be remembered by this quality player forever, but most will won't to forget this ordinary game as quickly as possible. Nonetheless, it was a learning curve in Adelaide's development.